This 230 mile ride visits some of the best roads between West Virginia and Gettysburg, Highlights include U.S. Route 219, U.S. Route 50, Bear Hill Road, PA Route 26, PA Route 484, PA Route 522, and PA Route 30.
U.S. Route 19 from Montrose to Thomas, WV
Begin by riding Route 219 north from Elkins to Montrose. The road turns east and enters the Monongahela National Forest. The next section through the forest to Thomas is one of my favorites with great curves and scenery.
Turn right on WV Route 90 and follow the North Fork Potomac River along the Maryland border to U.S. Route 50 in Gormania.
US 50 Overlook
Turn east on Route 50 and get ready for some nice curves and scenery
The portion of US 50 from Parkersburg, West Virginia to Winchester, Virginia follows the historic Northwestern Turnpike. This route was one of the first major routes through the Appalachians.
US Route 50 from Gormania
The section that we ride from Gormania to Romney is a curving two-lane mountain road that is so curvy that locals claim “you can meet yourself coming.” This may be a bit of an exaggeration, but it sure is fun to ride.
Turn left on WV Route 28 and ride it and Hampshire County Road 1 north along the South Branch Potomac River toward the Maryland border.
C&O Canal in WV
Enter the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. From the National Park Service website: “Preserving America’s early transportation history, the C&O Canal began as a dream of passage to Western wealth. Operating for nearly 100 years the canal was a lifeline for communities along the Potomac River as coal, lumber, and agricultural products floated down the waterway to market. Today it endures as a pathway for discovering historical, natural, and recreational treasures.”
Old Town Historic Bridge in WV
Cross the Potomac on the Oldtown Historic Toll Bridge. From the website: “The bridge is one of the few privately owned Toll Bridges existing in the county. Oldtown Toll Bridge is a simple crossing, simply constructed, and simply managed. A dozen concrete pedestals secured in the Potomac River support an all wooden bridge that connects Maryland to West Virginia.”
Cross into Maryland and ride Bear Hill Road and Town Creek Road north along Green Ridge State Forest to Flintstone. Stop for lunch at the Redbud Deli (review).
Ride north on Black Valley Road into Pennsylvania. Bear right onto Chaneysville Road and follow it north to Buchanan State Forest. Take Miller Corner Road (some dirt) east to PA Route 26. Ride PA 26 (you will love it!) south to Route 484. Follow Route 484 east all the way to Route 655 in
Needmore.
Gettysburg Ride Map
Ride Route 655 north to U.S. 522, turn right, and follow 522 north to PA Route 30. Turn east on
Route 30 and stop at the Tuscarora Summit View on the right next to Mountain House Grill.
Continue east on route 30 all the way to Gettysburg. Gettysburg is a very moving place. Consider doing the driving tour of Gettysburg National Military Park.